Syracuse steel guitar player Leonard Stephens dies at the age of 25

Photo by Walt PaluchSyracuse steel guitarist Leonard Stephens made many people happy with his musicianship and genuine personality.

Leonard Stephens lost his battle to cancer early this morning.

That leaves many sad family members, friends and musicians around Syracuse.

Stephens, 25, was a steel guitarist that played for Syracuse Area Music Award-winning R&B band Electric Relaxation and country band Custom Taylor Band. He also played frequently in church.

"Leonard is pretty much impossible to replace," said his Electric Relaxation band mate and friend, Thomas "TC" Carter. "I have no idea. As far as losing a friend, you deal with it the best way you can. As far as losing a talent of that magnitude, it is a severe loss. Those of us left behind have to stick together and make the best of what we have left."

Singer Chris Taylor said: "He had the biggest smile. He was a good guy and a phenomenal musician. At big shows, people would come up close to the stage to watch him play.

"You can't replace a guy like him," Taylor says. "There's no steel guitar player like him."

Stephens was so popular in the Central New York circle of musicians that two benefit concerts were held for him in his last weeks.

"He was a great kid," Carter says. "All the cliches you say about people after they pass were genuinely true about Leonard. He was a good spirit, he was kind to people. The fact of the matter was, he was good to people and he was diligent to his craft. He was such a bright kid with a big future."

Stephens is survived by his wife, Syreeta.

Here is a C-Jack Run video clip featuring Stephens and Electric Relaxation.